Deputy L.A. city attorney arrested on multiple child porn charges

A deputy Los Angeles city attorney has been arrested and charged with possession of child pornography, authorities said Friday.

Christopher Richard Garcia, 57, was arrested Thursday afternoon at his home in San Pedro and booked on suspicion of possessing and distributing child pornography, said Officer Liliana Preciado, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles Police Department.

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For the Record: A previous version of this post identified Garcia as an assistant city attorney; he is a deputy city attorney.

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Garcia had been under investigation since at least November, when authorities served a search warrant at his home and seized computers and other “electronic evidence,” Preciado said.

“At the time, they found some questionable images,” she said.

A forensic search of the computer revealed evidence of child exploitation, she said.

Prosecutors said Garcia has been charged with sending or bringing obscene material into the state for sale and possession of material depicting minors engaged in sexual conduct.

He allegedly sent some of the material on April 2, 2013, and was found in possessesion of it that November, according to court records.

An arrest warrant was issued Thursday, and jail records show he has since posted $40,000 bail.

The Caifornia State Bar website lists Garcia as serving as an attorney for Los Angeles International Airport. Garcia previously worked with the U.S. attorney’s office and a joint electronic crimes task force.

City attorney spokesman Rob Wilcox said in a statement Friday that they were aware of Garcia’s arrest.

“When our office became aware of these allegations 10 months ago, Mr. Garcia was immediately placed on administrative leave, where he remains today,” Wilcox said. “We cannot comment further on this ongoing criminal matter.”

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